A Game of Thrones Book Review Summary

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of A Game of Thrones

The noble houses of the Seven Kingdoms interrupt civility with politics and an urge to claim the Iron Throne. Based in a past realm, "A Game Of Thrones" focuses on the noble houses of the Seven Kingdoms Of Westeros which are enduring a civil war to claim the King's throne. The first installment of George R. R. Martin's "A Song Of Ice And Fire" series retells eight different journeys which hold ties to loyalty, pride, and power, and forge unspeakable signs of what's to come.

In Winterfell, the noble Stark family faces politics and conspiracy in the capital of the North as Lord Eddard Stark takes his place as the Hand of the King. His allegiance lies to King Robert Baratheon but House Lannister soon intervenes rather than advises as justice is overlooked for a restructuring of power that leads to the Iron Throne.

Eddard's illegitimate kin Jon Snow proceeds to adapt to calling the Stark family is own and soon chooses another path as he nears adulthood. After receiving advice from his uncle, Snow takes his place in the Night's Watch, a northern faction dedicated to protecting the Kingdoms from the supernatural dangers that lie beyond the wall.

Meanwhile, Daenerys Targaryen, an exiled princess and one of the last descendants from an abolished royal family, struggles to reclaim her place with her brother Viserys. Upon visiting Pentos, one of the Free Cities, she's sold and confined to marriage with Khal Drogo, the leader of the barbarian tribe, the Dothraki. At their wedding, Daenerys receives protection from the Westerosi knight Ser Jorah Mormont and is gifted with handmaidens, a silver mare, and three ossified dragon eggs.

Best part of story, including ending:
The novel intertwines various storylines, offering the reader eight different perspectives, but its attention to detail can be a bit too much to stomach.

Best scene in story:
Daenerys Targaryen's brother Viserys threatens her but the princess' newlywed husband responds in a poetic and violent way.

Opinion about the main character:
The main characters - Eddard, Jon, and Daenerys - all hold distinguishable traits that outline their personality and how they might mature. For instance, Eddard is wise, Jon is noble, and Daenerys is an adventurous follower that's turning into a leader. Neither really have a negative trait as the negative aspects and characters revolve around them.

The review of this Book prepared by Joshua Khana Level 1 Blue Jay scholar

The books tells the story of Westeroes, including its political power plays, culture and battles. Eddard (Ned) Stark is a nobleman in The Seven Kingdoms, in the continent of Westeros. Ned is the ruler of the North, ruling from his castle, Winterfell, upon all his subjects. He is loyal to the King, Robert Baratheon, who rules over the Seven Kingdoms, from Winterfell in the north to Dorne in the south. Ned and Robert are also good friends since they were children and were educated together.
Upon the death of his consultant, John Arryn, Robert arrives, together with his wife, Cersei, their children and their entourage, to Winterfell, in order to ask Ned to be his new consultant, called the Hand of the King. Ned considers the offer and eventually decides, under his wife's influence, to accept it. The group, now accompanied by Ned, his two daughters, Arya and Sansa, and his own entourage, starts the long walk back to the capital city, King's Landing. His wife, Catelyn, remains at home in order to treat their recently fallen son Bran. Jon Snow, Ned's illegitimate child, leaves Winterfell in order to serve in the Wall, the Seven Kingdom's only protection from the wildlings.
At the same time, in a different land, Viserys and his sister Daenerys Targaryen, are running from Robert's men, set on killing them. Viserys wants to conquer the Seven Kingdoms, which were supposed to be ruled by his family until Robert rebelled and killed everyone but him and Daenerys. In order to do so Viserys needs an army, which he hopes to gain by offering his sister to the leader of a great clan, Khal Drogo. As their relationship develops, Daenerys turns into a queen, a change that is only completed when Drogo kills her brother. Daenerys later finds out that she is pregnant.
Back in the Seven Kingdoms, Ned discovers that Cersei and Robert's children are actually Cersei and her brother's, Jaime. He threatens to tell the King, who is killed in a hunting trip, supposedly accidentally, shortly afterwards. Cersei gives Ned a choice - either he works with her and the new king, her son, or he dies. Loyal to his values, Ned declines and is later excuted in public. Sansa and Arya remain in King's Landing as "guests".
Outside Westeros, Khal Drogo is hurt and is on the verge of death. She decides to ask a witch to heal him, but ends up losing both him and her unborn son. As they burn his body, together with the dragon eggs she recieved for her wedding, Daenerys walks into the flames. She then comes out with three dragons on his body, all alive.
Best part of story, including ending:
I love this book because it's well written, tells a political-fictional story and shows human beings as they are. In the book, George Martin doesn't try to hide anything: he shows human weaknesses, human strength, the things humans are willing to do to each other, and even the most ordinary things, such as eating or having sex. The book is very true to life, even though it's set in a fictional world.

Best scene in story:
My favorite scene was the final scene of the book, in which Daenerys comes out of the fire with her newly born dragons. I love fantasy and especially dragons, and the scene was well written. It was, undoubtedly, a fascinating scene.

Opinion about the main character:
I like that Ned stays true to his values. I like that no matter what happens, he prefers to stick to his values, even in the price of his own life. It's honorable.

Westeros is ruled by a drunken king, Robert, who is surrounded by treachery. He sends for his old friend, Ned Stark, to come be his new second in command, or Hand. When Ned arrives he investigates the mysterious death of the previous Hand, and becomes involved in the Game of Thrones.

Ned's bastard son leaves for the Wall to protect the realm from the Others in the North. As he finally finds a place were he is accepted, he becomes assistant to the Commander of the Watch.
In South, Daenerys Targaeryn and her brother, Vaerys, plot to regain the throne taken from them by Robert Baratheon. Daenerys marriess Khal Drogo, to gain the strength of his clan and sail back to claim their kingdom.

The review of this Book prepared by schizohobbit

In George R.R. Martin's "A Game of Thrones", he weaves a compelling novel of intrigue and mystery, war and survival. The Starks of Winterfell are torn apart through circumstance and chance. Eddard Stark has agreed to become the Hand of the King, and taken his two daughters to the distant south with him. Jon Snow, Lord Stark's bastard son, has traveled to the wall far to the north to defend the lands against invasion. Catelyn Stark, Eddard's wife, has rushed to his aide, while her sons remain alone in their noble home of Winterfell.
But forces work against all of them. Intrigue threatens to take down the king, and leave the kingdom in the hands of his eldest son and his power hungry wife. Bitter rivalry breaks out amongst kingdoms and amongst advocates for the throne. Eddard Stark finds himself alone among people he can no longer trust, fighting for his life and the lives of his family.
Martin's book is spectacular. From the moment it begins to the moment it ends, he captures his reader and refuses to let them go.

The review of this Book prepared by Pamela Piarowski

The King's right hand man is murdered. Now he wants Lord Eddard Stark to come to court as his new "Hand", but if Stark isn't careful, he'll end up like the last "hand". This is just one of many exciting story lines all intertwined in this breath-takingly outstanding novel. -Possibly the best I've ever read! One set back... This will be a 6 book series (good), but he's only completed two so far. (slight Jordanitus, as these are huge)

The review of this Book prepared by Dan Dean

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Chapter Analysis of A Game of Thrones

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Plot & Themes

Composition of BookDescript. of chases or violence 20%planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 20%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 50%Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places 10%Tone of book - cynical or dry-wit
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Political power play - YesPolitical plotlets - factions fight within govt for controlIs this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book